Makatite is a very rare sodium silicate mineral typically found in saline lake deposits and alkaline igneous complexes. It usually forms soft, pearly, platy crystals that are extremely sensitive to environmental conditions, often dehydrating if removed from their native brine environment.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Makatite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous to dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this makatite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch makatite with a known reference. Makatite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to dull.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular.

Often confused with

Makatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to dull on Makatite and silky on Kanemite.

How to tell apart: Makatite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2).

Compare →

Often found alongside makatite

Minerals reported to co-occur with makatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Si₄O₈(OH)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 1.97-2.07 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to dull
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular
Cleavage: One, parallel to longitudinal axis, excellent
Fluorescence: Pale green under SW UV; yellow-white under LW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In cores from drill holes in a lacustrine evaporite series (Lake Magadi, Kenya); leached from natrosilite in an alkalic pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Lovozero massif, Russia)

Where rockhounds find makatite

Classic worldwide localities

Lake Magadi, Rift Valley, Kenya
Mt. Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Höwenegg quarry, Hegau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Mont Saint-Hilaire and near Saint-Amable, Quebec, Canada
Aris quarry, about 25 km south of Windhoek, Namibia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In cores from drill holes in a lacustrine evaporite series (Lake Magadi, Kenya); leached from natrosilite in an alkalic pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Lovozero massif, Russia). If you start seeing trona, erionite, magadiite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify makatite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous to dull. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is makatite found?+

Notable localities include Lake Magadi, Rift Valley, Kenya; Mt. Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia; Höwenegg quarry, Hegau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Mont Saint-Hilaire and near Saint-Amable, Quebec, Canada; Aris quarry, about 25 km south of Windhoek, Namibia.

What rocks look like makatite?+

Makatite is most often confused with Kanemite, Magadiite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with makatite?+

Makatite commonly co-occurs with Trona, Erionite, Magadiite, Anorthoclase, Gaylussite, Organic material. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does makatite form in?+

Where it forms: In cores from drill holes in a lacustrine evaporite series (Lake Magadi, Kenya); leached from natrosilite in an alkalic pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Lovozero massif, Russia). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is makatite used for?+

Makatite is used in collector.

Find makatite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.